Steven Murphy surprised everyone by announcing that he is relinquishing the top position of CEO of the Christie's auction house at the end of this year. After taking over as CEO in 2010, Murphy, a former publishing and music executive, became the brain behind initiatives such as the auction house's expansion of its online presence and its participation in new growing markets, as the company consistently surpassed the efforts of Sotheby's. Patricia Barbizet will take over as CEO of the London-based auction house while also keeping her current position of President. Murphy's unexpected departure follows Christie's record-breaking auction that sold $853 million of contemporary and post-war art. The November event held in New York City became the biggest auction in history. Murphy also announced that he would not join the auction house Sotheby's after the departure of William Ruprecht, its current President and CEO.